By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

TNA wrestler Kurt Angle hasn't given up on MMA just yet, but he's not pursuing the sport because he can make more money in TNA, according to his MMA buddy Frank Trigg.

"I don't think he has given up on it," Trigg told peoplesdefender.com in an interview. "I think he realized that coming in with the way the organizations are right now, he isn't going to get the pay day he would need right now as a fighter."

Trigg, who appeared on TNA TV last year as Angle's running-mate and helped out on commentary during TNA PPVs, says Angle doesn't think the training required to be proficient in MMA is worth the time and energy right now.

"He is making some serious money right now with TNA," Trigg said. "He would have to fight 4-5 times a year in MMA to make that kind of money. It's not really worth it to him."

Trigg equated it to Michael Jordan attempting to play baseball in the mid-'90s. He says Jordan was great at basketball, he might have wanted to try his hand at baseball to see if he could cross-over into another sport, but realized it wasn't worth it.

"Michael Jordan is the most recognizable basketball player in our time. He went and played baseball and couldn't pull it off. Just because you are a great athlete doesn't mean you can excel at another sport," Trigg said about Angle potentially crossing-over to MMA.

In the interview, Trigg also talks about his pre-conceived notions about pro wrestling being shot down when he started training with A.J. Styles and having new respect for pro wrestlers as athletes.

Trigg interview with peoplesdefender.com.

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